b'The Seed Industry Must Stay Focused During Tense TimesASTAs Andy LaVigne tells an audience of Canadian seed industry players that the North American ag sector has to remain engaged despite the challenges they see playing out in front of them.By Marc Zienkiewicz, Seed World Canada Senior EditorTHE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT INthe United States is described by American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) President and CEO Andy LaVigne as a heated mess, reflecting deep divisions and challenges in passing meaningful legislation. Despite this, he emphasizes the need for the agricultural sector to remain engaged and proactive in driving policy and innovation. We have to drive these policies, maneuver through the mess, and ensure we can actually move forward, he said in his key-note address to the 200 attendees of the Seeds Canada Annual Conference in Edmonton, Alberta in July. LaVigne began by emphasizing the importance of owning the agricultural narrative. If we let somebody else tell our story, were not going to win, he said, stressing the need for the agricultural community to be proactive in communicating its innovations and contributions. He highlighted the crucial trade relationships between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The political climate in North America plays a significant role in shaping agricultural policies and trade agreements. LaVigne pointed out the recent election of a new president in Mexico and the ongoing challenges with Mexicos stance on GMOs, highlighting the importance of cooperation and dialogue between the neighboring countries. In the United States, the upcoming presidential election posesAndy LaVigne, ASTA President and CEO.uncertainty for agricultural policies, he said. There is a way forward, and we need to figure out how to navigate through this. We need to find the adults in the roomWhen people are hungry, unrest happens, he said, empha-and move forward. I think we all deal with these frustrations, andsizing the interconnectedness of global stability and food secu-unfortunately, were in a challenging cycle right now, he said.rity. He mentioned the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Russia, the We have a lot to address, but we must move forwardweMiddle East and Africa, highlighting their direct implications for cant sit back and wait for the right people in Congress, the Whitethe agricultural sector. House, or the EPA. We need to act now and maneuver throughInnovation in agriculture is crucial for its future, and he praised this to ensure progress.Canadas scientifically based policy on gene editing, stating, LaVigne also addressed the broader geopolitical issues affect- Canada probably has the best scientifically based policy dealing ing agriculture, underscoring the role of food security in maintain- with gene editing anywhere. SWing global stability. SEPTEMBER 2024SEEDWORLD.COM /17'